Power Cut at Home: What to Do and Who to Call in the UK

Steps to take in a UK power cut: check if it is just your home, who to call, how to stay safe, protect appliances and what to do when the power returns.

When the lights go out, it is not always obvious whether the problem is your house, your street or a wider outage. Knowing the sequence of checks saves time and helps you contact the right organisation. This guide covers what to do, who to call and how to stay safe while you wait.

Step 1: is it just you?

Look outside. If streetlights and neighbours' windows are dark, it is probably an area power cut. If the neighbours have power and you do not, the issue is likely inside your property or with your own connection.

Then check the consumer unit. If a switch has tripped, a fault on one circuit may have knocked off power, and the earlier guide on what to check when your consumer unit trips applies. Unplug appliances, reset the switch and see whether it stays on.

Step 2: who to contact

Area power cut. Call 105, the free national number that connects you to your local electricity network operator. You can also check their website or social media for updates and estimated restoration times.
Just your home, consumer unit fine. The issue could be your meter, the cut-out or the supply cable. Contact your network operator, who may attend for faults on their equipment.
Problem inside the property. A registered electrician can diagnose it. See electrician call-out charges for typical costs.
Danger. If you see damaged cables, sparks or anything hazardous outside, keep well away and call 105. Call 999 for fire or injury.

Your supplier, whose name is on your bill, is not responsible for the cable network, so the 105 number is usually the quickest route.

Step 3: staying safe in the dark

Use torches, not candles, where possible.
If you do use candles, keep them away from curtains and never leave them unattended.
Never use barbecues, camping stoves or generators indoors, because of carbon monoxide.
Keep a battery radio or charged power bank for updates.
Check on vulnerable neighbours and relatives.
If you rely on medical equipment, contact your network operator, who may have a priority services register.

Protecting food and appliances

Keep fridge and freezer doors closed. A full freezer holds its temperature for many hours.
Switch off or unplug sensitive equipment, such as computers, to protect against surges when power returns.
Leave one light on so you know when power is back.
Turn off heating appliances that could start unattended.

When the power comes back

Wait a few minutes before reconnecting large appliances to avoid a surge.
Check the consumer unit and reset any switches that tripped.
Look at the fridge and freezer and discard food that has been above safe temperatures.
Check smoke alarms and any equipment with battery backup.
Report any lasting problems to the network operator or an electrician.

If lights flicker or you notice odd behaviour, see why lights flicker.

Preparing for next time

Keep a torch and spare batteries in a known place, a power bank charged, the 105 number saved in your phone and a note of your property's meter number. If you rely on electric equipment for health, ask your network operator about support.

A worked example

At 6pm the lights go out. You look out of the window, see the street is dark and neighbours are in torchlight. You call 105 and find an estimate for restoration of a couple of hours. You unplug the computer and television, leave one lamp switched on so you can tell when power returns, close the freezer and fridge doors and use torches to cook a cold meal. When power returns, you wait a few minutes, plug in the larger appliances one by one and check that the fridge is working. Staying calm and following a routine takes most of the stress out of it.

A simple outage kit

A torch and spare batteries, one per person if possible.
A fully charged power bank for phones.
A battery or wind-up radio.
A list of key phone numbers, including 105.
Blankets and warm clothes for winter.
Bottled water and non-perishable food.

Common mistakes

Using a petrol generator or barbecue indoors or in an attached garage.
Lighting several candles in different rooms and leaving them.
Opening the freezer repeatedly.
Switching everything back on at once.
Assuming your supplier rather than the network operator should be called.

Edge cases

Flats and tower blocks: lifts and communal lighting may be affected, so keep a torch and take care on stairs.
Homes with electric heating or heat pumps: a cut in winter may mean no heating, so plan to keep warm in one room.
Homes with solar and batteries: these systems may or may not provide backup, depending on how they are installed, so check how yours behaves.
Medical equipment users: have a plan for backup power and ask your network operator about priority support.

When to call a professional

If the outage is only in your property, or if you notice burning smells, tripped switches that will not reset or damaged equipment after power returns, call a registered electrician. If you see fallen or sparking cables outside, keep clear and call 105, or 999 if there is danger.

Frequently asked questions

Will I get compensation for a power cut?

Network operators in Great Britain have guaranteed standards that can include payments for long outages in some circumstances. Check your operator's website for the current rules.

Should I turn everything off at the consumer unit?

Not usually. Unplugging sensitive equipment is enough. Keeping the main switch on lets you see when supply returns.

How do I know if the problem is my consumer unit?

If neighbours have power and the unit shows a tripped switch or won't reset, treat it as an internal fault and call a registered electrician.

Is it normal for power to come back with a flicker?

Brief flickers or short interruptions can happen as the network is restored. If lights keep flickering or you notice odd behaviour afterwards, tell your network operator.

Find home help near you

Related guides

Why Do My Lights Flicker? Causes and What to Do — Common reasons lights flicker in UK homes, from bulbs and dimmers to loose connections and supply problems, plus which causes need an electrician urgently.
Consumer Unit Keeps Tripping: What to Check and When to Call — Why a consumer unit or RCD keeps tripping, safe checks you can make by unplugging appliances, how to reset it and when to call a registered electrician.
12 Questions to Ask an Electrician Before Hiring — A practical checklist of questions to ask an electrician before you agree a job, covering registration, price, testing, certificates, timing and tidiness.
Replacing a Ceiling Light Fitting: Safe or Call a Pro? — When swapping a ceiling light fitting is a reasonable job for a competent person, the safety principles that apply, and when to call an electrician instead.
Signs of Dangerous Wiring in Your Home and What to Do — Warning signs that wiring or sockets may be unsafe, from burning smells and warm plugs to old fuse boxes, and the sensible steps to take next.